Receptacle for trash and soiled materials



1961 w. A. GARDINER 2,994,453

RECEPTACLE FOR TRASH AND SOILED MATERIALS Filed Oct, 28, 1959 INVENTOR. WILLIAM A. GARDINER A TTORNE Y5 2,994,453 RECEPTACLE FOR TRASH AND SOEED MATERIALS William A. Gardiner, 5541 Willis, Van Nuys, Calif. Filed Oct. 28, 1959, Ser. No. 849,408 5 Claims. (Cl. 220-29) This invention generally relates to closures or lids for receptacles, and more particularly concerns a closure structure for receptacles employed, as for the purpose of trash containers, laundry hampers, diaper pails, waste baskets, and the like.

Many different types of receptacles are known in the art for use as trash and refuse containers, containers for soiled articles and materials and similar purposes. Most such receptacles are either actuated manually or by the users foot, whereby a lever or the like opens the receptacle for the deposit of the waste matter or soiled material. Thereafter, the lid or closure member will return to its closed position automatically by the weight thereof.

Although receptacles have been provided in prior art wherein the lid or closure member is opened automatically in response to the weight of the article being deposited into the receptacle, such structures usually involve somewhat complicated mechanical or electricalmechanical assemblies. In other instances, the receptacles oftentimes require several intercoupled elements in order to effect proper opening and closing of the lid structure.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved receptacle for trash and soiled materials and similar items, which embodies as a primary feature thereof a closure structure automatically opened in response to deposit of materials or trash thereon.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle for trash and soiled materials, which may be simply and ruggedly constructed of a minimum number of parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle for trash and soiled materials, which embodies closure means which not only automatically opens in response to deposit of an article thereon, but which also closes automatically as soon as the article has fallen into the receptacle.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a closure means for a trash or soiled material receptacle, wherein the closure means will automatically open a. pre-determined degree in response to deposit of an article thereon and return automatically to a position of flush closure for fire extinguishing purposes as soon as the article has fallen into the receptacle.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle for trash and soiled materials, which embodies closure means such that it may be economically constructed from a plastic or metal material with a single mold structure.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are generally attained by providing in a receptacle a pair of closure members, which are pivotably carried by the side walls of the receptacle. The closure members in their closed position have their inner edge portions in abutment and their outer edge portions, respectively, engaging opposing side wall portions of the receptacle. The closure members are further pivotable to an open position, wherein the outer edge portions are positioned a given distance upwardly of the receptacle and the inner edge portions are positioned downwardly in spaced apart relationship within the receptacle.

As a feature of the present invention, stop means are co-operatively carried, respectively, by the closure members and the receptacle so as to limit upward movement of the outer edge portions of the closure members to the given distance heretofore referred to.

A better understanding of the present invention for an improved receptacle for trash and soiled materials will be had by reference to the drawings, showing merely an illustrative embodiment, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a receptacle for trash and soiled materials according to the present invention, with the body of the receptacle being only partially shown; and

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the receptacle taken in the direction of the arrows 22 of FIGURE 1 for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the closure or lid members operate.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG- URE 1 an improved receptacle for trash and soiled materials according to the present invention including for example, a conventional rectangular body 10 which is formed at its upper end to receive a lid structure generally designated by the numeral 11 for retaining the closure means forming a primary feature of the present invention.

The lid structure 11 defines sidewalls 12 which may project upwardly from the end of the body 10 or which may be recessed within the body portion 10. In FIG- URE l, the sidewalls 12 have been shown as projecting upwardly for purposes of clarity of illustration and description.

The sidewalls 12 have integrally formed therewith on one side thereof external flanges or tabs 13 and 14, and similarly on an opposing sidewall portion thereof, external tabs or flanges 15 and 16. The sidewalls 12 further integrally include projecting internal flanges 18, 19, and 20, 21, respectively, on opposite portions thereof. The manner in which these flanges co-operate with the closure structure and in the operation of the closure means may be more clearly understood by reference to FIGURE 2.

In accordance with a primary feature of the present invention, the closure structure comprises a pair of pivotable members 23 and 24. Thus, as clearly shown in view of FIGURE 2, the tab or flange 18 and flange 13 co-operate together to limit counter-clockwise rotation of the lid 23 to a particular position for effective closure of the opening at the top of the receptacle body 10. The flanges 14 and 19 co-operate in a similar manner with respect to 'lid or closure member 24 to limit clockwise rotation of this member for effective closure of the opening. It will be appreciated that a similar action is achieved by co-action of flanges 15 and 21 with respect to lid closure 23, and flanges 16 and 20 with respect to lid closure 24.

In connection with flanges 18, 19, 20, and 21, it should be noted that these flanges or tabs are disposed at positions such that the lids 23 and 24 will fit flush with the upper edges of the sidewalls 12. As a consequence, flanges 18-21 are located slightly lower than the upper edges of the sidewalls 12. Conversely, the flanges 13-16 are positioned in planes disposed slightly above the normal height of the sidewalls 12 such that the lid closures 23 and 24 may be disposed thereunder and still rest upon the internal flanges 1821.

In order to enable pivotable movement of the lid closure 23, it is provided on its lower surface portion with a bracket bearing 25 coupled to a boss or rod 26. Preferably the member 26 is a boss which extends from the sidewalls 12 on opposing sides thereof. In consequence, another bracket 25 (not shown) would co-operate with a similar boss 26 extending from the opposing portion of sidewalls 12. A similar pair of co-operating bosses 27 and brackets 28 would be provided in connection with lid closure 24.

Each of the lid closures 23 and 24 additionally embodies stop means for limiting upper movement of the outer edge portion thereof, which of course limits downward movement of the inner edge portion thereof. In this regard, the lid closure 23 has an arcuate arm 2? preferably integrally formed therewith terminating at its free end in a finger 30. The finger 30 is adapted to engage the flange 18 to prevent clockwise movement of the lid closure 23 after it has moved through a given arc. Thus, in the dotted line position of the closure member 23, the finger will be in the position 30' engaging the flange 18.

A similar construction appertains to the lid closure 24, which includes an arcuate arm 31 and finger 32 adapted to co-operate in the position 32 with the flange 19.

Of course, another set of arms 29 and 31 would be positioned adjacent the opposite portion of the sidewalls 12 for structural balance.

In the alternative, the arms 30 md 31 could extend throughout the width of closures 23 and 24. Similarly, the flanges 13 and 21 could be integral and extend laterally between opposing portions of sidewalls 12.

It will be appreciated that by proper balancing of the Weight of each of the members 23 relative to the pivot axis thereof, that is, rods 26 and 28, that the closure members can be designed to open in response to any additional weight in the form of trash or soiled material which may be deposited on the inner portions of these closure members. It will also be noted that the closure members 23 and 24 are canted slightly inwardly whereby they tend to draw apart in spaced relationship with only a very slight arcuate movement or pivoting movement. Of course, the particular angle of inclination may be varied to meet individual design requirements.

It will be noted that both closure members 23 and 24 and the respective brackets and arms attached thereto are of exactly the same construction. In consequence, the closure members 23 and 24 may be formed from a single mold if a plastic material is employed.

It will be apparent that flanges 13-16 only effect a more rugged lid structure 11 and are not essential to the operation thereof.

It is further evident that no nuts, bolts, or other hardware is required for the construction shown, whereby the receptacle according to the present invention renders itself ideally to economical mass production with a minimum amount of costs involved in material and labor. Furthermore, it is apparent that appreciably no maintenance or service will be required throughout the life of the receptacle and that the construction of the closure means is such that it will automatically open, deposit and thereafter close in response to the placement of trash or soiled materials thereon.

Although certain modifications and changes will appear to those skilled in the art, such modifications and changes are believed to come within the scope and spirit of the invention as heretofore described and now claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a receptacle: a pair of closure members pivotably carried on the sidewalls of said receptacle, said closure members in a closed position having their inner edge portions in abutment and their outer edge portions, respectively, engaging opposing sidewall portions of said receptacles, and said closure members being pivotable to an open position wherein said outer edge portions are positioned a given distance upwardly of said receptacle and said inner edge portions are positioned downwardly in spaced apart relationship within said receptacle; and, first stop means co-operatively carried, respectively, by

said closure members and said receptacle limiting upward movement of said outer edge portions to said given distance, said first cooperative stop means comprising an arcuate arm carried by each said closure member, said arm having a finger at its free end, and a pair of opposing flanges carried by said sidewalls for engagement by said fingers upon movement of each of said closure member to said open position.

2. The combination in a receptacle according to claim 1, and second stop means carried by said sidewalls limiting upward movement of said inner edge portions.

.3. In a receptacle: a pair of closure members pivotably carried by the sidewalls of said receptacle, said closure members in a closed position having their inner edge portions in abutment and their outer edge portions, respectively, engaging opposing sidewall portions of said receptacle, and said closure members being pivotable to an open position wherein said outer edge portions are positioned a given distance upwardly of said receptacle and -said inner edge portions are positioned downwardly in spaced apart relationship within said receptacle; an arcuate arm carried by each said closure member, said arm having a finger at its free end, and a pair of flanges carried by said sidewalls for engagement by said fingers upon movement of each said closure member to said open position; and, additional flange means carried by said sidewalls adapted to co-operate with the inner edge portions of said closure members to limit upward movement thereof.

4. In a receptacle: a pair of closure members; pivotable means coupling each said closure member to the sidewalls of said receptacle; said closure members in a closed position having their inner edge portions in abutment and their outer edge portions, respectively, engaging opposing sidewall portions of said receptacle, and said closure members being pivotable to an open position wherein said outer edge portions are positioned a given distance upwardly of said receptacle and said inner edge portions are positioned downwardly in spaced apart relationship within said receptacle; said pivotable means being connected to each said closure member in a central portion thereof, whereby each said closure member is substantially balanced about its associated pivotable means and whereby each said closure member is independently movable; and, first stop means cooperatively carried, respectively, by said closure members and said receptacle limiting upward movement of said outer edge portions to said given distance.

5. In a receptacle: a pair of closure members pivotably carried on the sidewalls of said receptacle, said closure members in a closed position having their inner edge portions in abutment and their outer edge portions, respectively, engaging opposing sidewall portions of said receptacles, and said closure members being pivotable to an open position wherein said outer edge portions are positioned a given distance upwardly of said receptacle and said inner edge portions are positioned downwardly in spaced apart relationship Within said receptacle; first stop means cooperatively carried, respectively, by said closure members and said receptacle limiting upward movement of said outer edge portions to said given distance; and, second stop means carried by said sidewalls limiting upward movement of said inner edge portions.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

